Watch Nunn and Bayh discuss the veepstakes.
(CNN) - Evan Bayh and Sam Nunn wanted to focus on Barack Obama's national security credentials Wednesday. The traveling press corps trailing the presumptive Democratic nominee’s campaign didn’t.
In a press conference following a campaign-sponsored roundtable discussion on emerging terrorist threats, Bayh and Nunn were bombarded by questions over reports both Democrats are on Obama's shortlist for vice president.
But Bayh, a senator from Indiana, and Nunn, a former senator from Georgia, revealed little about the Obama campaign's vetting process and their own ambitions for the job.
Veepstakes: Check out CNN's Political Market to see who's ahead
"I have never aspired to that office," said Nunn, who served in the Senate for 25 years. "It is always nice to have your name mentioned - it is an honor - but I have no expectation of being offered any office, and I am not in any way sitting on the edge of a chair ready to go back into government."
Nunn, one of the most respected Democratic voices on national security policy, seems to encounter vice presidential speculation every election cycle, given his appeal in the South and strength on issues where Republicans usually have the edge.
iReport.com: Share your picks for VP
Bayh, a former supporter of Hillary Clinton who also has red-state appeal, also brushed aside speculation he is being considered a spot on the ticket.
"I love serving the people of Indiana - and I think any questions about the vice presidential thing are understandable and it’s good for my ego, but I should probably let Senator Obama and his campaign address those kind of questions," he said.
One reporter asked the senator — whose father Birch Bayh ran for president in 1976 - if he was taking his name out of the VP running.
"I've got a plane to catch," he responded, chuckling.
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
We need Jessie Ventura for VP. He's a no nonsence guy.
When are we going to find out about Obama if all CNN does is concentrate on surrogates. Will the Real Obama please stand up.
What are his plans for my Country. Or do we find out in January when it is too late.
Superdelegates please choose Hillary as the Democratic Nominee. As you can see Obama lied to the American people just like George Bush did about the war. We need a President that will have the American people best interest at heart. Michelle said she was going to use the $600 to buy earrings. That is very unprofessional and some people don't even have $600 in the bank. Obama and his wife are not fit to become the President. Maybe he could be Hillary's Vice President but I don't think he's even qualified for that position.
Please Superdelegates Select Hillary Clinton as the Democrated Nominee if you don't the Democrates will Lose to Mccain.
Thanks Super Del!!!
I am still waiting for McCAin to take off the gloves and show the American people that Obama is exactly what Clinton said he was.
All talk and no Action.... Come on McCain show some gumption. These liberals won't vote for you anyway., so go ahead and put them in their place.
Hispanos united for McCain. Semper Fi.
Hey Puma's..
If you help Mccain get elected this year. Guess what is going to happen. He will start a war with Iran in 2010-11, and when the 2012 comes around, the American public just like in 2004 will not change the leader of the nation in the middle of a major. So, all the Pumas that hoped to see Hill become president in 2012, will probably have to wait until 2016 and at age 70 to have another shot at the presidency...
Go ahead vote for Mcsame...Go ahead for 8 more years of war!!
These are just 2 more unknown quantities added to another unknown comodity. Makes me feel safe, how about you?
I don't think anyone want to be VP... I guess they don't want to be blamed for the horror Obama may be doing to this country.
Hillary or Mccain. And, no I'm not a republican, i'm just tired of all the Obama drama...
To answer a previous comment, the reason everyone is reluctant to say they will be VP (except Edwards recently... sort of) is because of Hillary. So many people want her to be VP that if any other person becomes a somewhat unofficial choice then it opens up another can of worms. You can bet the DNC is aggressively pushing to keep such a situation from happening.
That said, despite her popularity Sam Nunn would be a much better choice than Hillary. She would do much more as gov of NY and should run for it.
Anybody voting for that old goat McCain must be just as crazy !
Hillary Supporter – I need to ask you the same thing. Are you not paying attention? Were you so mesmerized by Hillary that you wouldnt even listen to anyone else's views? For those who say Sen Obama has been "Flip-Flopping" has not been listening to him except for maybe the last few months. The only thing he truly flip flopped on was not accepting the federal campain funding. And thats only because the RNC had about $50mill more in the the bank than the DNC to spend on the election. The only way to compete with that was to not limit his funds to the $85 that would have been given to him.
This so called flip flopping is a necessity in almost any job. The ability to adjust our Nations strategies and policies in light of new data or developments is something that I am looking for in the next President. If we dont have that then we basically get a Bush 3rd term. These guys do not have the ability to adjust to anything even when they are wrong (see Iraq war 2003-until???).
So, Hillary Supporter, focus. Listen to Sen Obama. Hillary and Barack arent much different in their stance on the issues. Hillary just ran a bad campaign.
Both are excellent choices.
Obama/McCain '08
JohnBoy July 16th, 2008 6:41 pm ET
How about some debates?
Lets hear Obama and McCain have at it.
No restrictions on questions.
No notes, just a good old debate.
McCain 08
-------
Watch what you wish for. The debates wont even be close. How many times have you heard McCain say "I dont have the information right now" (or something to the effect)? He rarely ever speaks without notes. Did you see his speech the night he became the presumptive nominee. It was the worst I've ever seen. So dont ask for them sooner than need be...
Breaking News Per CNN News;
U.S. reverses course, will send envoy to talk with Iran
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice "believes it's a smart step to take. There is no change in the substance but it sends a strong signal," McCormack said. "It sends a strong signal to our P5+1 partners. It sends a strong signal to the world. It sends a strong signal to the Iranian government that the United States is committed to diplomacy, to finding a diplomatic solution to this issue."
This is the same type of direct diplomacy that Obama was refering to.
It's ok now?
Obama Not So Stupid After All!
Hillary Supporter – I need to ask you the same thing. Are you not paying attention? Were you so mesmerized by Hillary that you wouldnt even listen to anyone else's views? For those who say Sen Obama has been "Flip-Flopping" has not been listening to him except for maybe the last few months. The only thing he truly flip flopped on was not accepting the federal campain funding. And thats only because the RNC had about $50mill more in the the bank than the DNC to spend on the election. The only way to compete with that was to not limit his funds to the $85 that would have been given to him.
This so called flip flopping is a necessity in almost any job. The ability to adjust our Nations strategies and policies in light of new data or developments is something that I am looking for in the next President. If we dont have that then we basically get a Bush 3rd term. These guys do not have the ability to adjust to anything even when they are wrong (see Iraq war 2003-until???).
So, Hillary Supporter, focus. Listen to Sen Obama. Hillary and Barack arent much different in their stance on the issues. Hillary just ran a bad campaign.
I have inside information that it'll be Jeb Bush for Obami's VEEP. I read it on the internet.
Bad move, Barack. Go learn a little about female psychology. If you pick an old, white southern man as your running mate, Hillary supporters will be livid with rage and come out against you.
Wesley Clark could fill the experience gap without incurring the same kind of wrath because he was one of Clinton's biggest supporters.
Obama/Clark 08
Wow, two white men. Sorry, if his VP pick is not Hillary there will be no vote from me. It's about time a woman was on the ticket and Hillary is the person who brought in almost 18 million votes. Far more than any of the other potential candidates.
OBAMA/CLINTON OR no Obama!
Looks like Hillary's supporters came out today!!!
It's no good to have a "former supporter" of Hillary Clinton – only the real thing will do. Nearly 18 million voted for her and no one voted for Evan Bayh or Sam Nunn. It should be plain enough for the Obama campaign to see who the choice should be. I'm not donating a penny to his campaign unless HRC is on the ticket.
Obama knows he is unfit to run this country so he gets so uptight when anyone even remotely makes a joke about him. I have never seen such a whinny grown man man before. You are truly a joke and people can see right through you.You better wish you were half as good as John McCain.
I disagree with Xavier. Voting for Nunn WOULD be for gays to shoot themselves in the foot. Obama does not have to pick Hillary for me to vote for him. Obama does not deserve ANY gay votes if he picks Nunn- like Brandon said, the gays should either vote for Nader or McKinney. McCain does not deserve our vote either, but he does not seem hateful towards gays. Picking Nunn would prove that any support Obama declares for gays is not sincere. Even McCain has never pushed as hard for a homophobic policy as has Nunn. Nunn is completely out of the question. It is like asking Blacks to vote for someone who picks as VP someone who opposed the voting rights act. Nunn pandered to hatred and fear way back in '93 when he pushed "Don't ask, don't tell." Xavier, you should be ashamed of yourself.
it will be interesting to see how people who vehemently oppose Hillary Clinton on the ticket will vote, if she is chosen...
it will be interesting to see the poll numbers post-announcement if she isn't.
She is the most important player in this election, which is AMAZING when its EVIDENT that a majority of voters in this country (MOST Republicans, many Obama supporters and some independents) do not want her anywhere near the ticket, even if they don't mind her in another prominent seat in an Obama Administration.
Amazing. She truly is.
For Obama VP, two words: Colin Powell
Sam Nunn and I'm outta here. Go McCain.